A storm system that has wreaked havoc across central Europe brought devastating floods to the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna on Thursday for the second year in a row, forcing people to leave their homes and schools to close.

Central Europe began counting the cost of deadly and devastating floods caused by Storm Boris, as the European Union pledged billions of euro in aid to affected countries and northern Italy became the latest area to be inundated by torrential rain.

The storm has hit the north-east and central regions of Italy, days after causing widespread flooding in central Europe.

A massive flood wave moving across Central Europe is threatening new areas and raising concerns among residents and officials.

More than 50 regions of Italy have issued alerts, as flooding continues to batter Poland and the Czech Republic.

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen has pledged billions of euros in aid for Central European countries that suffered enormous damage to infrastructure and housing during the massive flooding th